Although the geographical location is actually a few miles east of Muscle Shoals, the Norfolk Southern operates a large classification yard near the Shoals known as Sheffield Yard. Once part of the Tennessee Division, the NS line from Memphis to Chattanooga runs through the Shoals and is now considered part of the Alabama Division of Norfolk Southern. A line to Birmingham, AL connects with the Memphis to Chattanooga line in the Shoals area and provides a connection between Memphis and Birmingham. This junction is located near the west end of Sheffield yard near the Muscle Shoals/Tuscumbia city limits. Traffic between Sheffield and Memphis is typically on the order of 12-16 trains a day. The line south to Birmingham sees about 6 trains a day, while the line from Sheffield to Chattanooga sees about 10 trains a day. Of course, these are estimates as any number of occurrences can cause these numbers to vary.

Due to it's remote location, much of the NS Sheffield yard is not visible from public property. The far east end of the yard is visible from a public road crossing (Gnat Pond Road) where you can catch east bound trains leaving the yard. Wilson is at the west end of the yard and forms the east leg of the wye at the junction with the main line to Birmingham, AL. Viewing/Photographing trains here is not too hard as there are a number of public roads through the area (namely Elledge Lane). Norala, which marks the west leg of the wye, is visible from an overpass on Highway 43 and possibly Decatur Street. Avalon Avenue is also a pretty good place for train-watching/photography and begins a stretch of double-track that extends to Tuscumbia. Downtown Sheffield is also a good spot to watch the action on the NS double-track. Highway 72 west out of Tuscumbia parallels the NS main line to Memphis and provides some good train-watching spots.

The shortline Tennessee Southern operates a stretch of former L&N trackage from Tennessee into the port of Florence, AL on the north side of the Tennessee River. The L&N once interchanged with Southern Railway at the Shoals via a bridge over the Tennessee river. This bridge is no longer used and the draw span has been removed and installed at another location on the Norfolk Southern. You can often see Tennessee Southern power at the Port of Florence near F-L Sand & Gravel's barge transfer operation.

Useful Scanner Frequencies for The Florence/Sheffield/Muscle Shoals Area

A empty coal train rolls through the small town of Courtland, AL on its way back west for another train-load of PRB coal.

File Size: 200 KBytes · Downloads: 769 · Uploaded: November 08,2014

NS #6920 "Honoring our Veterans" leads westbound train 163 through Wheeler, AL. The things us railfans will do for a picture! :)

File Size: 333 KBytes · Downloads: 1555 · Uploaded: January 15,2013

It's getting dark as the NS Office Car Special rolls in to the siding at Wheeler for a meet before heading further west.

File Size: 284 KBytes · Downloads: 1267 · Uploaded: January 07,2013

Norfolk Southern empty west bound coal train 733 rolls through Courtland, AL. This location is known to the railroad as Robertson Jct and there is a spur that splits off to run to the International Paper plant in Courtland.

File Size: 457 KBytes · Downloads: 1253 · Uploaded: May 24,2012

An artsy shot of a hopper truck in empty west bound coal train 733 through Courtland, AL.

File Size: 300 KBytes · Downloads: 1168 · Uploaded: May 24,2012

A BNSF Heritage painted SD70MAC brings up the rear of empty west bound coal train 733 through Courtland, AL.

File Size: 559 KBytes · Downloads: 1460 · Uploaded: May 24,2012

A west bound NS train passes the control point Pride on its way towards Memphis, TN. This is just west of the Tuscumbia, AL area.

File Size: 407 KBytes · Downloads: 1219 · Uploaded: April 29,2012

A southbound NS train rolls through the Wilson control point and will turn south on the NA/West End District to head towards Birmingham, AL.

File Size: 362 KBytes · Downloads: 1267 · Uploaded: April 29,2012

West bound NS train 163 heads through the Norala control point. I had parked the Jeep to get a photo and ended up climbing up an embankment and got it in the photo. One of my favorite shots!

Our first train of the day, 10/02/2011, was Norfolk Southern Alabama Division local train A12 heading eastward in Courtland, AL with just 8 cars in tow.

File Size: 471 KBytes · Downloads: 1283 · Uploaded: January 09,2012

On the way to the Quad-Cities area, we found this NS local power tied up at Robertson Jct, where the spur to the International Paper plant (and a few other customers) joins the Memphis District - East End main line. This is my first time catching a road slug!

File Size: 354 KBytes · Downloads: 1219 · Uploaded: January 09,2012

Norfolk Southern loaded coal train 734 rolls through downtown Sheffield, AL on the east bound main. Check out the BNSF Executive SD70MAC in the number two position!

File Size: 399 KBytes · Downloads: 1629 · Uploaded: January 09,2012

The DPU pusher on loaded coal train 734 rolls across Atlanta Ave in downtown Sheffield, AL on the east bound main.

File Size: 385 KBytes · Downloads: 1205 · Uploaded: January 09,2012

Norfolk Southern intermodal train 22N rolls through downtown Sheffield, AL on the east bound main line towards Sheffield Yard.

A video compilation of our day railfanning the Norfolk Southern Memphis District West End in the Quad-Cities area of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia. Most of the footage is from downtown Sheffield on the double track NS between "East End Two Tracks" and the control point Tuscumbia. This is a great area to railfan and highly underrated in my opinion

HD Video Clip - Views: 1453 · Uploaded: January 09,2012

This video clip is in Phil Campbell, AL as the NS 320 rolls through a large curve near the center of town. This area was hit hard by the tornadoes of April 28, 2011.

HD Video Clip - Views: 1615 · Uploaded: July 08,2011

Westbound NS intermodal train 201 blasts past the east end of Wheeler siding. Unfortunately, this puppy slipped up on me and I didn't get time to straighten the camcorder! HA!

After meeting westbound train 201, Norfolk Southern local train A82 pulls out of the siding and on to the main line headed towards Decatur. Thanks to the crew for the friendly "toot" as they pulled out! Gotta love those old high hood motors!